1. Carmarthen and the West 23/12/2010 18:13
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Carmarthen and the West
To start investigating the compelling complexity of Carmarthen and the countyʼs western reaches, try stopping seven
miles east of the town in Llanddarog. There, beneath its thick hatch, the White Hart serves up great ale brewed on-site
Gower & Carmarthen Bay » and offers fabulous food. In its ancient village setting, one of Walesʼ most highly regarded pubs illustrates how the area
balances powerful heritage and tradition with a vibrant, innovation-fuelled present. Yes, the Romans settled in
Carmarthen and Arthurian legend is rooted here - but attractions such as the Jabajak vineyard retreat and the town
centre Emporium gift shop prove that modern excellence is thriving.
Among our best...
Tourism Links :
Boot camp Kids’ deterrent
Carmarthenshire County Council 'Rainbow' 'The 1900 schoolroom'
You wonder how they display so Not that we like getting heavy, but
Carmarthenshire Tourist
much fine feminine style in such a sometimes isnʼt it rewarding to
Association
compact space. Ahead might be a keep the kids on track? What
Inspirational Wales fanned arrangement of pony hair better than the site of a stinging
One Big Garden boots in stunning leopard print Victorian cane from Llanelliʼs Old
from Italyʼs Bumper label; below to your left - in an Road School or the threat of a sturdy paddle-shaped
South West Wales Tourism antique haberdasherʼs display case - there might be wooden board once used to teach posture and, of
Partnership delicate leather gloves by Dents of England; next to course, as a punishment? This schoolroom recreation
Visit Wales them a cluster of exquisitely crafted Austrian crystal also has a blackboard chalked with "Children should
perfume bottles by Twoʼs Company of America. At be seen and not heard", century-old arithmetic test
Visit Swansea Bay Rainbow, individuality is the essence. cards and lots more to induce winces and cringes.
Visit Pembrokeshire Where - Rainbow, Lammas Street, Where - Carmarthenshire County Museum, Abergwili,
Carmarthen, SA31 3AD. 01267 230499. Carmarthen SA31 2JG.
Ceredigion Tourism 01267 228696 www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Breakfast inspiration
'Roadhouse Restaurant' Takeway tea
Itʼs not just the fact that a superb 'Mosaic Deli Bistro'
Roadhouse cooked breakfast sets So, youʼre gasping for a refreshing
you up for the day or that the cuppa with an undertone of
hardy brick building has plum popcorn, eh? Or with a chilli kick
countryside views. No, the most ...or a hint of chocolate. Well,
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2. Carmarthen and the West 23/12/2010 18:13
inspirational element here is that only around a Teapigs is the supplier and the
decade ago the boss launched the business in a Mosaic is one of its very few Welsh retailers; theyʼre
converted bus specialising in roadside burgers, as finely selected as the leaves themselves, it seems.
butties and cuppas. Only once he left the coach was Such is the craftsmanship of these brews that the
he able to serve specialities such as salmon fillet and phrase "tea bag" is redundant; they prefer the "tea
mussels in champagne and prawn sauce. temple." The flavours are outstanding so take home a
Where - Roadhouse Restaurant, Llanboidy Road pack for later.
Roundabout, Abbey Road, Whitland, SA34 0LG. Where - Mosaic Deli Bistro, 17 Bridge Street,
01994 241193 www.roadhouserestaurant.co.uk Carmarthen, SA31 3JS.
01267 221679 www.mosaicdelibistro.co.uk
Fine dining
'Y Polyn' Coastal viewpoint
"Open for lunch and dinner", 'Llansteffan Castle'
proclaims the sign swinging Legs must work hard to reach this
outside the restaurantʼs snug spectacular fortress. A mile-long
interior "...usually." Itʼs a hint of rocky path winds (sometimes
the warm humour common in steeply) up from the village - and
everything Y Polyn does, underpinning its itʼs worth every puff of the
astoundingly good food. A cheery red-capped gnome overworked lungs. Spread out before the castleʼs
in the garden hoists a watering can as his good pals stocky stone walls are miles of hills to the north, sea
inside serve innovative excellence that can range to the south, sandy coast to the west and village-
from Brecknock lamb with onion, garlic and thyme dotted landscapes to the east. Why fight over it, as
puree to Carmarthenshire yoghurt and cream they did for at least 250 years, when you can simply
pannacotta with honey roast figs. Relaxed, warm, wallow in such breathtaking tranquillity?
inviting. Where - Llansteffan Castle, Llansteffan.
Where - Y Polyn, Nantgaredig, SA32 7LH. 0800 074 3121 www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
01267 290000 www.polyn.co.uk
Coffee stop
Pie man 'Blue Boar Bistro'
'Eynonʼs' Tucked away off Carmarthenʼs
Go see the pie man; heʼs got lots main drag, the Blue Boar
to talk about. After all, this is the announces itself in magnificent
fella who - every week - creates powder-blue double-fronted style.
thousands of best-sellers for this Once inside, itʼs a moment of joy
butcher. Thereʼs his Angus steak to turn right, head for the whitewashed chunky stone
variety, the Welsh lamb and leek, the free range wall and collapse into a deep cream sofa. The
chicken with mushroom, the minced beef and onion ceilingʼs low and heavily beamed, the windowsillʼs
and rather a lot more. Whatʼs more, they all come tiled in dark slate and the locals will talk to you all
with a smile borne of a knowledge that this is a day about market town issues and Welsh rugby
family firm whose butchery tradition stretches back politics highlighted in the weekʼs Carmarthen Journal.
around 150 years. The coffeeʼs not bad, either.
Where - Eynonʼs, Pentre Road, St Clears, SA33 4LR. Where - Blue Boar Bistro, Water Street,
0800 731 5816 www.eynons.co.uk Carmarthen, SA31 1PY. 01267 233875.
Brief encounter Picnic spot
'The Gwili Railway' 'Ynys Fach'
Oh, the agony of Brief Encounter! Savouring that feta and olive
"I know this is the beginning of baguette itʼs easy to forget that
the end," Dr Harvey told Laura as youʼre peering out over the
monochrome steam trains smoothed remnants of a volcanic
thundered across 1940s big mountain range that arose 400
screens. "Not the end of my loving you but the end of million years ago. Or that these hills witnessed King
our being together." Phew. Thank goodness feelings Arthur see off the giant boar Twrch Trwyth. Or that -
are more in check as you chug retro-style through the without the help of truckers like Eddie Stobart -
wooded Gwili Valley. Mind you, some of those movie- enormous bluestone slabs from Carn Meini were
style emotions may well be evident if youʼre with a transported almost 200 miles as the Stonehenge
Great Western Railway buff. Hankies essential. inner circle went up more than 4,000 years ago.
Where - Gwili Railway, Bronwydd Arms, Where - Ynys Fach Picnic Site, A478, Glandy Cross.
Carmarthen, SA33 6HT. www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
01267 238213 www.gwili-railway.co.uk
Camp bed
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